The status of Chicanos in U.S. higher education was studied as part of an investigation of four disadvantaged racial/ethnic minorities. Attention was directed to: recent rates of educational access and attainment and factors influencing educational outcomes; trends in choice of major fields and career plans; representation in various fields; perspectives and employment experience of Chicano faculty members; demographic characteristics of Chicanos; and features of educational institutions and programs affecting the progress of Chicanos. A historical overview includes the origins of the Chicano Southwest. Data were obtained from a 9-year Cooperative Institutional Research Program study of 1971 freshmen and from surveys of Chicano educators and Ford Foundation Fellows. Findings include the following: the high school attrition rate for Chicanos ranges between 45-50 percent; in 1971, about two in five Chicanos entered college immediately after high school; from one-fourth to one-third completed a baccalaureate; and their rate of doctorate attainment is substantially lower than that of whites. Recommendations are offered for precollegiate education, community colleges, support services, financial aid, bilingualism, and minority women. A classification of major fields is appended. (SW)